[zarbs]

Hi to all, the first of many reviews of the newly released 2021 EC here in Australia.

2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross price and specs

The 2021 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, fresh from a facelift, now has a couple of limited editions. The range opens at $30,290 before on-roads.

www.carexpert.com.au

From first look most of the panels are the same. New tailgate, new front and rear bumper assemblies. Front and rear look like they will fit the current EC layout though back side of each may require some work to fit. Electric harness is likely different as well. Tail lighting whilst less fits the same panel shape as they current model. The top of the line now comes with an 8 speaker sound system but no mention of Rockford Fosgate availability. I'll drop in on my local dealer to gets some first hand pics once they have stock.

 

[Telferstr]

The back window looks much the same size just without the lower glass in the tailgate, which now has more metal sweeping up to replace the lower window.
Rear visibility will be more restricted with the smaller area of glass I would think along with the rear wiper blade intruding into the viewing area somewhat. The new rear lighting leaves a lot to be desired, which is a shadow of its former self.
Looking at those pictures, I much prefer the existing backend. I'm also not so keen on the 3 front black grill slats, along with the missing bright metal strip along the front edge of the front bumper, and also the decoration work on the slats themselves.
The front end grill area is lacking in definition, and has lost a lot of its current presence in my humble opinion. Also missing are the front and rear decorative skid pan alloy panels, which do add to the vehicles overall appearance. With them missing, it now makes the front and rear ends much less interesting to look at.
All the alteration appear to be made for economy and cost cutting measures, making the vehicle cheaper to produce, but they have taken away in part, the quirkiness that made the Eclipse Cross attractive to many people.
That back window does not improve rear visibility at all, which was a criticism raised by some commentators, when in practice however, it rarely, if at all, causes any problems. The rear view camera In many ways, more than making up for any short comings in that area when reversing.
Inconclusion, I must say I'm more than happy with the model I have, with the new version having a much duller appearance than the one we all enjoy at present.
Or have I got all wrong.

 

[mxhdroom]

From the rear, at least, it seems to have lost its individuality. The rear end of my neighbour's Nissan Rogue looks quite similar. I'm OK with the front, but not happy with the overall reduction in the silver/brightwork trim of the current iteration. And the jury is still out on the headlight placement.

If I was in the market for a newer model, I wouldn't wait for the 2021 and would spring for the 2020 model instead.

 

[zarbs]

Or have I got all wrong.

No @Telferstr. I agree with much of your sentiment. Happy with the current iteration and not something I will be upgrading to in the future. As you can tell, looking at pics of my EC, I am a fan of brightwork but Mitsubishi is dulling the model down by reducing it. Cost cutting indeed. As @mxhdroom notes, and I alluded to in another thread discussing this model, the rear end is very Nissan-ish. I do hope it sells well for Mitsubishi's sake.

 

[Mountainsofbeer]

The red diamond color is nice, the sharpening of the front end was the only design option they had i guess. I think they had it the first time.

Different color leather option is a nice add.

I think the new Outlander would be my choice now, I wonder what that is going to look like its up for redesign as well I believe

RockfordFostgate is probably gone because Nissan uses another brand

 

[Willisjamaica]

This design is mitsubishi given in to the miss guided reveiwers... the complain was that the rear split glass was reduce however they fail to realise that the lower glass was actually an addition and not a lost... Rover evoque along with many vehicle in existence that same reveiwer reviewed has way less visibility yet they didn't mention it.... this rear design was actually an option when cross was in development however the opted for the split window as it blend in with the overall design... there's an improvement with the front as it proportion and dimension however the material choice and lack thereof I am not liking.......however its ok...but I am yet to prefer new rear over old..maybe when I see in person but as it is now I am not.... surely more trunk space.... but guess what so far I have only place an umbrella and my work gears in back, so I will trade space for design.

 

[ECTT]

Like I've mentioned in another post, this refreshed rear end is now going to be lost in a sea of CUVs and other crossovers. The "Eclipse" identity was lost with the removal of the rear split window design. It reminds me of a horizon in sunset and I like the hidden rearview wiper design. How can some people complain about the EC's 2018-2020 design but fail to mention the Hyundai Ioniq? Although a different class of automobile, the Ioniq also sports a split rear view design, and such a design in a lower roofline car means disaster where outward visibility is concerned!